Suggestions for keeping students occupied
20-May-24 5:50pm
#1 ft763
Hi all, it has been some interesting weeks in PNG...and I'm asking for some suggestions.
Long story short, we run a dental trailer for different schools and there's a list of patients who are supposed to see us, but some of them run off without our knowledge so they don't end up seeing the doctor.
Is there any way to keep them occupied until they can see the dentist?
There are different books we have , colouring papers and we also play games with them (spelling games and more), I was thinking of bringing some board games.
Does anybody have any more ideas? Would be really grateful for anything at all.
I will be involved in the dental outreach again next Monday, so please let me know. Thank you so much
Students are approx grade 5 or so...
😊
#1 ft763
Hi all, it has been some interesting weeks in PNG...and I'm asking for some suggestions.
Long story short, we run a dental trailer for different schools and there's a list of patients who are supposed to see us, but some of them run off without our knowledge so they don't end up seeing the doctor.
Is there any way to keep them occupied until they can see the dentist?
There are different books we have , colouring papers and we also play games with them (spelling games and more), I was thinking of bringing some board games.
Does anybody have any more ideas? Would be really grateful for anything at all.
I will be involved in the dental outreach again next Monday, so please let me know. Thank you so much
Students are approx grade 5 or so...
😊
21-May-24 8:42am
#2 ClearSights
When i was a kid and had to go to the dentist/ortho for braces. They had a Sega Dreamcast set up w/ Sonic and that would take our minds completely off the waiting room and anxiety while waiting.
Not sure if something similar is an option? Some hand-held games while waiting?
#2 ClearSights
When i was a kid and had to go to the dentist/ortho for braces. They had a Sega Dreamcast set up w/ Sonic and that would take our minds completely off the waiting room and anxiety while waiting.
Not sure if something similar is an option? Some hand-held games while waiting?
21-May-24 9:13am
#3 KCPenguins
My assumption is these are tribal people in Papua New Guinea? Can you communicate with them easily? What do you have with you for entertainment, and do you have anything to give them? If they know soccer and you have a ball (or can make one), maybe try a competition to win some giveaways if you have any. Or teach them a new game they may not know about?
#3 KCPenguins
My assumption is these are tribal people in Papua New Guinea? Can you communicate with them easily? What do you have with you for entertainment, and do you have anything to give them? If they know soccer and you have a ball (or can make one), maybe try a competition to win some giveaways if you have any. Or teach them a new game they may not know about?
21-May-24 5:37pm
#4 ft763
ClearSights wrote:
When i was a kid and had to go to the dentist/ortho for braces. They had a Sega Dreamcast set up w/ Sonic and that would take our minds completely off the waiting room and anxiety while waiting. Not sure if something similar is an option? Some hand-held games while waiting?
Thanks for that, but my assumption is we try to avoid technology. In fact, the senior leaders said that 'let's get off our phones and talk to the students'. But some of them are younger, so they have their friends or just get distracted. And at recess time, they go and buy snacks...maybe they simply forgot to return to the dentist. But thank you anyways ;)
#4 ft763
ClearSights wrote:
When i was a kid and had to go to the dentist/ortho for braces. They had a Sega Dreamcast set up w/ Sonic and that would take our minds completely off the waiting room and anxiety while waiting. Not sure if something similar is an option? Some hand-held games while waiting?
Thanks for that, but my assumption is we try to avoid technology. In fact, the senior leaders said that 'let's get off our phones and talk to the students'. But some of them are younger, so they have their friends or just get distracted. And at recess time, they go and buy snacks...maybe they simply forgot to return to the dentist. But thank you anyways ;)
21-May-24 5:40pm
#5 ft763
KCPenguins wrote:
My assumption is these are tribal people in Papua New Guinea? Can you communicate with them easily? What do you have with you for entertainment, and do you have anything to give them? If they know soccer and you have a ball (or can make one), maybe try a competition to win some giveaways if you have any. Or teach them a new game they may not know about?
In terms of tribal, some of them would be. Can't say for sure, it's only my 1st time there.
Communication wise, some of them use Pidgin, which is like broken English. I reckon you might understand them if one spends enough time.
Yah, I was thinking of an easy-to-learn activity. Like Uno, or they can come up with a random story and somebody starts the story, a 2nd person can think of something else and we take turns making up something.
The older students I can keep them engaged a little easier. But it's those younger age group that's challenging.
#5 ft763
KCPenguins wrote:
My assumption is these are tribal people in Papua New Guinea? Can you communicate with them easily? What do you have with you for entertainment, and do you have anything to give them? If they know soccer and you have a ball (or can make one), maybe try a competition to win some giveaways if you have any. Or teach them a new game they may not know about?
In terms of tribal, some of them would be. Can't say for sure, it's only my 1st time there.
Communication wise, some of them use Pidgin, which is like broken English. I reckon you might understand them if one spends enough time.
Yah, I was thinking of an easy-to-learn activity. Like Uno, or they can come up with a random story and somebody starts the story, a 2nd person can think of something else and we take turns making up something.
The older students I can keep them engaged a little easier. But it's those younger age group that's challenging.
21-May-24 9:32pm
#6 Anxiouz
Oh wow, I was about to ask what PNG meant but see it above.
When I've been at school things with my son (currently 5th grade) what seems to keep kids interested the most has been tactile things they can interact with. Rubiqs cube, fidget spinners, handheld puzzles, games like Simon/repeat-the-pattern. Those kinds of things are both quick to understand, and can sometimes be fun to watch others play.
Uno is certainly great but can take a long time to get through a game.
A deck of cards can go a long way. Maybe give it a better name but "war" is a good one for 2 people or for a group. Split a deck between X players and then each round everyone plays their top card, and highest card wins. Basically war but with more people. Kids love slapping down cards and when there is a tie they get excited which can make even non-players want to engage. Plus the math is easy for who has the highest card.
Another thing is "I Spy" where someone finds something they can see ("I spy something...red") and people try to guess what that is. Whoever gets it becomes the person spying the next thing.
#6 Anxiouz
Oh wow, I was about to ask what PNG meant but see it above.
When I've been at school things with my son (currently 5th grade) what seems to keep kids interested the most has been tactile things they can interact with. Rubiqs cube, fidget spinners, handheld puzzles, games like Simon/repeat-the-pattern. Those kinds of things are both quick to understand, and can sometimes be fun to watch others play.
Uno is certainly great but can take a long time to get through a game.
A deck of cards can go a long way. Maybe give it a better name but "war" is a good one for 2 people or for a group. Split a deck between X players and then each round everyone plays their top card, and highest card wins. Basically war but with more people. Kids love slapping down cards and when there is a tie they get excited which can make even non-players want to engage. Plus the math is easy for who has the highest card.
Another thing is "I Spy" where someone finds something they can see ("I spy something...red") and people try to guess what that is. Whoever gets it becomes the person spying the next thing.
22-May-24 12:07pm
#7 KCPenguins
How's it going at PNG by the way? Impressions? The good, the bad? I would love to go to a tropical island but likely never will.
#7 KCPenguins
How's it going at PNG by the way? Impressions? The good, the bad? I would love to go to a tropical island but likely never will.
22-May-24 5:38pm
#8 ft763
Very different from Australia, obviously. In the Townsville base, you can go out even in the evening. Here our security has changed and unless you have a vehicle, of course then few people would leave the base. Even then, it's not recommended to go out late.
A good thing is there are streetside merchants selling things near some schools.
Probably a nice place...but unlike Australia, the campus is much smaller. So unless you're VERY extrovert, it might be difficult to stay long term.
The other point is that we have a medical vessel for those who are doctors, nurses etc and they would spend some time going to hard-to-reach places with our Viking boats to bring healthcare services.
#8 ft763
Very different from Australia, obviously. In the Townsville base, you can go out even in the evening. Here our security has changed and unless you have a vehicle, of course then few people would leave the base. Even then, it's not recommended to go out late.
A good thing is there are streetside merchants selling things near some schools.
Probably a nice place...but unlike Australia, the campus is much smaller. So unless you're VERY extrovert, it might be difficult to stay long term.
The other point is that we have a medical vessel for those who are doctors, nurses etc and they would spend some time going to hard-to-reach places with our Viking boats to bring healthcare services.
22-May-24 5:38pm
#9 ft763
Anxiouz wrote:
Oh wow, I was about to ask what PNG meant but see it above. When I've been at school things with my son (currently 5th grade) what seems to keep kids interested the most has been tactile things they can interact with. Rubiqs cube, fidget spinners, handheld puzzles, games like Simon/repeat-the-pattern. Those kinds of things are both quick to understand, and can sometimes be fun to watch others play. Uno is certainly great but can take a long time to get through a game. A deck of cards can go a long way. Maybe give it a better name but "war" is a good one for 2 people or for a group. Split a deck between X players and then each round everyone plays their top card, and highest card wins. Basically " rel="nofollow" title="bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/war (secure)" target="_blank">war but with more people. Kids love slapping down cards and when there is a tie they get excited which can make even non-players want to engage. Plus the math is easy for who has the highest card. Another thing is "I Spy" where someone finds something they can see ("I spy something...red") and people try to guess what that is. Whoever gets it becomes the person spying the next thing.
Ya thanks for this, appreciated indeed
#9 ft763
Anxiouz wrote:
Oh wow, I was about to ask what PNG meant but see it above. When I've been at school things with my son (currently 5th grade) what seems to keep kids interested the most has been tactile things they can interact with. Rubiqs cube, fidget spinners, handheld puzzles, games like Simon/repeat-the-pattern. Those kinds of things are both quick to understand, and can sometimes be fun to watch others play. Uno is certainly great but can take a long time to get through a game. A deck of cards can go a long way. Maybe give it a better name but "war" is a good one for 2 people or for a group. Split a deck between X players and then each round everyone plays their top card, and highest card wins. Basically " rel="nofollow" title="bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/war (secure)" target="_blank">war but with more people. Kids love slapping down cards and when there is a tie they get excited which can make even non-players want to engage. Plus the math is easy for who has the highest card. Another thing is "I Spy" where someone finds something they can see ("I spy something...red") and people try to guess what that is. Whoever gets it becomes the person spying the next thing.
Ya thanks for this, appreciated indeed
26-May-24 4:35pm
#10 KCPenguins
@ft763
You safe man? Read there was a horrific landslide in PNG. 100's missing or dead.
#10 KCPenguins
@ft763
You safe man? Read there was a horrific landslide in PNG. 100's missing or dead.
27-May-24 2:55am
#11 ft763
My mother's sister texted me about this. My mother is on fisherman's island and I'm in Port moresby. So far we haven't been affected. Thank you so much for your concerns!
Will keep looking at the news updates.
#11 ft763
My mother's sister texted me about this. My mother is on fisherman's island and I'm in Port moresby. So far we haven't been affected. Thank you so much for your concerns!
Will keep looking at the news updates.
5-Jun-24 6:22am
#13 rayzor6
If you can get these...I think these are simple yet fun games:
Just One
Sushi Go
Santorini
Kingdomino
Hive
Onitama
For Sale
No Thanks
Love Letter
I'd be happy to elaborate on any of them if you'd like :)
#13 rayzor6
If you can get these...I think these are simple yet fun games:
Just One
Sushi Go
Santorini
Kingdomino
Hive
Onitama
For Sale
No Thanks
Love Letter
I'd be happy to elaborate on any of them if you'd like :)
Suggestions for keeping students occupied